Effect of lon Protease Overexpression on Endotoxin Production and Stress Resistance in Bacillus thuringiensis


Barkad M. A., Bayraktar A., Doruk T., Tunca S.

CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY, vol.78, no.9, pp.3483-3493, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 78 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00284-021-02610-w
  • Journal Name: CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.3483-3493
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Lon protease, an intracellular protease, plays a key role in cell homeostasis in bacteria and is involved in numerous physiological processes. In this work, we aimed to study the impact of Lon on the production of endotoxins and stress response in Bacillus thuringiensis, which is an important bioinsecticide alternative for toxic chemicals. For this purpose, lon gene was cloned into a multi-copy vector with its original promoter and transcriptional terminator and expressed in B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis ATCC 35,646. Our results showed that the recombinant lon gene transcribed and translated efficiently and the resulting protein was active. Although the sporulation efficiency of the recombinant strain was found to be reduced and its mobility impaired, overexpression of the lon gene triggered the production of endotoxin. Together with increased biofilm formation, recombinant strain exhibited significantly better adaptation to osmotic and heat shock stresses and UV exposure compared to wild type and the control strain with empty plasmid. This study suggested a possible link between Lon protease and the production of insecticide and stress response in B. thuringiensis and provides a platform for future studies focusing on enhancing bio-insecticidal production using this bacterium.